nevada legalization

Contrary to prohibitionist rhetoric, traffic deaths in Nevada dropped over 10% in the first year following the legalization of marijuana.

According to data collected and released by the Nevada Department of Public Safety, 277 people died in car crashes between July, 2017 and May 2018. This is a 10.6% decrease from the same period a year prior; 310 people were killed in traffic accidents between July 2016, and May, 2017.

Marijuana officially became legal in Nevada on January 1, 2017. Legal marijuana sales began half a year later, on July 1. The law allows anyone 21 and older to possess marijuana, and purchase it from a licensed retail outlet.

Cannabis is now legal in Nevada for those 21+.

Portions of Nevada’s Question 2 have taken effect as of midnight, January 1st. The new law allows those 21 and older to possess and use up to an ounce of cannabis. Of the four states that legalized cannabis on November 8th, Nevada is the third where possession has become legal, following California on November 9th and Massachusetts on December 15th. Maine will be the next on January 15h.

In addition to allowing cannabis to be possessed and used, Question 2 legalizes a system of regulated cannabis retail outlets, supplied by cannabis cultivation centers. These are expected to be open sometime next year; at this point those living 25 miles or more from a retail outlet will be allowed to cultivate up to six plants at a private residence.

The new year will bring with it new cannabis laws in Nevada, as portions of Question 2 take effect.

On December 15th parts of Massachusetts’ Question 4 took effect, legalizing cannabis for those 21 and older. Soon it will be Nevada’s turn, as portions of Question 2 take effect on January 1st.

As with Massachusetts (and California) the new law will allow those 21+ to possess up to an ounce of cannabis. The measure also legalizes cannabis retail outlets, which are expected to be open sometime next year; once open, those living 25 miles or more from one of these outlets will be allowed to cultivate up to six plants at a private residence.